go to the dogs

go to the dogs

Meanings:
– something is becoming worse than it normally was
– to become worse in quality or character
– becoming very less successful than it was in the past
– to deteriorate, to become bad
– to decline in looks or health; to be ruined or destroyed

Examples:
1. Have you seen their car lately? It's really gone to the dogs.
2. Many things in our home have gone to the dogs during the last 3 months.
3. She was a very successful actress, but her drinking habit and illegal affairs caused her career to go to the dogs.
4. It seems that the reputation of your business has gone to the dogs.

Origin:
As far back as the 1500s, bad or stale food that was not thought to be suitable for human consumption was thrown to the dogs. The expression caught on and expanded to include any person or thing that came to a bad end, was ruined, or looked terrible.